The onset of a new year is a good time to step back and analyze what worked and what didn’t with social media. Here are 12 practices that can start your ecommerce business on the right foot.
1. Build a Content Base
Google’s algorithm changes emphasize original content. Because of that, blogging has made a comeback.
Blogs are ideal for building a content base. They can help improve search engine rankings, establish thought leadership, generate greater brand awareness, and strengthen existing bonds with your customers.
If you have yet to use a blog either within or alongside your ecommerce site, it’s time to do so. WordPress is good for this purpose, but applications like Tumblr or RebelMouse may better suit your tastes.
Regardless of which platform you choose, start the new year with a determination to create original content on a routine basis.
“The 4-Step Social Media Content Strategy,” a previous article, walks you through the steps involved in creating a strategic content plan.
2. Provide Utility
In his book Youtility, author and marketing expert Jay Baer says, “There are only two ways for companies to break through in an environment that is unprecedented in its competitiveness and cacophony. They can be amazing or they can be useful.”
By “useful,” Baer means brands should focus on the needs and interests of customers and prospects rather than their own, and produce content that reflects that mindset.
You can spend lots of money in advertising to gain attention, but it’s less expensive and potentially more effective to build awareness by providing content that adds value.
3. Syndicate to Social Networks
Social network syndication is the next step in executing your content plan. Think of social media as a distribution channel through which many people can see your content. The following steps go into greater detail about how to do this to achieve the greatest effect.
4. Think Beyond Facebook
When we think of social media, often the first site that comes to mind is Facebook. It’s the largest and most talked about, and has shown to have some social commerce value.
See the complete list here